Anti-reflux surgery

(Nissen Fundoplication)

Acid reflux is caused when acid travels up from your stomach into your oesophagus (gullet). Reflux causes heartburn or acid in the back of your mouth, which can be extremely unpleasant. This happens if the valve between your stomach and your oesophagus does not work effectively.

Medication is an alternative to surgery and works by lowering the acid content in your stomach. It is usually effective at controlling the symptoms and healing inflammation.

Surgery is recommended if your symptoms continue or if you do not want to take medication for the rest of your life.

Arranging your Treatment

Before going ahead with this treatment, you will need to have an initial consultation with a specialist Consultant to go through your medical history and diagnosis. At this appointment, your consultant will confirm the exact treatment you require. If you would like to have an initial consultation, you can call us and we can help you find the consultant best for you. Alternatively, if you have already been diagnosed as needing a particular operation or treatment, our sales advisors can give you a guide price for this to be carried out at KIMS Hospital and book an appointment for you to meet a consultant. Call our sales advisors on 01622 237727 or email enquiries@kims.org.uk.

Paying for your Treatment

You can be treated at KIMS by using your private medical insurance or by paying for yourself. If you have private medical insurance, you will need to contact your insurer to ensure you are covered for the initial consultation prior to making an appointment and obtain an authorisation number. The insurance company will then need to be advised if you require further treatment. The insurance company usually settles bills on your behalf. If you are paying for your own treatment, you will need to pay for an initial consultation. This will be confirmed at the time of booking but is typically £150-£250. You will also need to pay for any associated diagnostic tests your consultant recommends (for example x-rays and blood tests). Following this consultation, if you don’t need any further treatment or if you decide paying for yourself isn’t the right option, there is no commitment to proceed further. If you require the operation or procedure to be carried out, you will receive a quote for your treatment. In most case this will be the fixed price package quoted on this website. If this quote is different for any reason, we will provide an explanation (see what’s included below). This quote is also subject to pre-assessment checks prior to your admission to hospital. Payment is required 7 days prior to admission.

The operation is performed under general anaesthetic using keyhole surgery (laparoscopic) and takes between 1 and 2 hours.

The opening in the diaphragm through which the oesophagus passes from the chest into the abdomen is tightened. During the procedure the part of the stomach that is closest to the entry of the oesophagus is gathered, wrapped and stitched around the lower end of the oesophagus.

The procedure increases the pressure at the lower end of the oesophagus and this reduces acid reflux. This wrap (or findoplication) produces a kind of one-way valve from the oesophagus to the stomach.

Patients who undergo this type of keyhole surgery are kept in overnight and discharged the following day. Following discussion with the consultant patients usually come off their reflux medication within a few days following surgery.

Patients can have difficulty swallowing after surgery. This is due to the oesophagus being rather inactive for a week or two and also to some swelling in the area of fundopliation. Patients will need to take only soft and moist foods for a few days following surgery.

To find out more:

If you would like to come to KIMS, contact our sales advisors on 01622 237727 or email enquiries@kims.org.uk.